Car-coupling



(No Model.)

LJ. J. ROBERTS. GAR GOUPLING.

` ""Platented Feb., 1883.

other suitable means UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VJOHN J. ROBERTS, OF SHONGELO, MISSISSIPPI.

'Wit

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,990, dated February 6, 1883.

- Application filed September 1,1882. (No model.)

To alt whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN J. ROBERTS, of Shongelo, in the county of Smith and State of Mississippi, i have invented certain new and useful I mprovements in'Car-Gouplings and I d0 hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accom panying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to car-couplings, and has for its object to provide simple and efflcient means for effecting coupling and uncoupling of the cars without going between them, and to hold the coupling-hook into and out of engagement.

In the drawings, Fi gurel is a perspective view` of the end' of a car having my improved coupling. Fig.2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a front view 5 Fig 4, a detail perspective view of the coupling-hook. Fig. 5 is a like view of the draw-head. Fig. 6 is aperspective view, illustrating a modification adapted to iiat or platform cars. Fig. 7 is a like view, illustrating the strip U.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the end of the car, and B 'the draw-head. The latter may be of any ordinary open-end construction, but `is preferably formed by splitting or bifurcating the end of a bar, C, and expanding the arms D D at said split end. rlhis expausion may be normally contracted bythe bar C, so that the armsD D will remain open; or the expansion may be forced and retained by the transverse pivot-bar E.

F is the coupling-hook, which comprises a hook-shaped rod, G, having a curved or substantially 3- shaped rear end, H. Hook F is detachably secured on bar E by means of a pivoted strip, I, having a slot, J, at its lower end, through which passes the point K of end H. The lat-ter is then secured by a nut, L, or Strip Iis pivoted preterably in a bail, M, depending from rod G.

To a bail, N, in front of bail M, is pivoted an upwardly-extending elevating-rod, O, having a longitudinal series of perforations, P. Rod O passes through a perforation, Q, in a standard, R, extending at the top ot' the car, andshown with a shank, S,.extending down through a bail or staple, T, on the end of, the car.

To hold the hook F elevated, the rod O is raised and a cross-strip. U, inserted through one of the perforations P, above standard R.

To retain the hook down when coupled, thestrip U is inserted below the standard R. Strip U is provided with a dat spring, V, to retain it in perforation P from accidental displacement. The rear end, H, of hook F is preferably elastic, so that its downward tension (see dotted lines, Fig. 4) will serve to aid in retaining its point in slot J.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 for platform-cars the standard It is omitted and also perforations P, the coupling-hook being held down or elevated by an arched hasp, W, at the front of the draw-head, as shown.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood. When it is desired to couple the cars the coupling-hook is simply elevated from the top of theY car by rod O, and then dropped over the pin E of the adjoining draw-head. It is now locked in position, and a safe and efficient coupling secured.` i

[claim as new- 1. The coupling-hook F, consisting otl a hook-shaped rod, G, having an elastic curved rear end, H, and pivoted strip I, having aslot, J, the arrangement being such that the tension of the D end serves to retain its point in slot J, as set forth.

2. The combination of the draw-head having cross-rod E, the coupling-hook F, having hooked rod G, and formed into a curved rear end, H, the bail M, carrying pivoted strip I, provided with slot J, nut L,'and bail N, to which is pivoted operating-rod O, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own Ihave hereto aixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JOHN JACOB ROBERTS.

Witnesses W. A. RAUCH, J. C. MIZE. 

